How to Ripen a Banana in 15 Minutes

Patience, schmatience

You’re all set to make your world-famous banana cookies: The oven’s preheated, your mise en place is ready and, to be honest, you’re really just craving cookies.

The only problem: Your bananas aren’t ripe yet. Have no fear. Just follow these simple steps.

What you need: Bananas and a cookie sheet.

What you do: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees and place your bananas on the sheet and into the oven for 15 minutes.

Why you do it: A quick stop in the oven speeds up the ripening process. Like avocados, bananas give off ethylene gas, which is typically released slowly. Add heat to the equation and the ripening process gets sped way up.

Anything else? Yes. Heads up that this method is best for when you’re cooking with bananas, since the heat brings out the fruit’s sugar. Also be forewarned that the bananas will turn black in the oven, but it’s no cause for concern.